After 15 years and hundreds of runners, Kodiak's Coach Massey ends era at state meet

PASCO — After 15 years at the helm, Dayle Massey coached the Kodiak XC teams for the last time on Saturday, November 9, at the Washington State Championships, where his Class 1A teams outperformed expectations.

The lady Kodiaks, coming into the races ranked ninth in the state, placed seventh with Grace McDevitt and Caroline Menna finishing in the top twenty. The two were soon joined at the finish line on the Sun Willow Golf Course by teammates, Alice Farrell, Daniella McDevitt, Gwen Pehowski, Napiqua Gibbs, Piper Copson, and Harper Baker.

The boys’ team, ranked 17th before the gun went off, dashed to the tenth spot. Ben Jerome missed the top twenty by just one place. Following Jerome were Kolston Breaux, Lane Bedard, Cruz Martinez, Ryder Fiano, Cooper Krejci, and Kaesin Elser.

“It really hasn’t sunk in that it’s all over,” said Massey after the races on Saturday. “I’m still thinking about next year and who’s coming back, what the team’s going to be like, and then I catch myself and say: ‘gosh that’s really not my deal anymore.’ It’s a bittersweet feeling. I’ll miss it – the kids, the assistant coaches, the camaraderie.”

When Massey took the reins of the program in 2010, he had just a total of twelve runners. In the last decade and a half, his teams have grown to thirty or more strong. “I’m proud of all the kids who came out to run; how the team has grown. That was always my main goal – just to get as many kids as I could out running,” averred Massey. 

“I like his relaxed coaching style,” reflected Farrell. “He doesn’t put a lot of pressure on us, which makes running easier, I think. At the same time, he’s very encouraging, a great cheerleader, and creates a good team dynamic. He made us feel less like we were competing against each other than running as a team. He stressed health and happiness over all else. I’ve never regretted going to a practice.”

Jerome concurred: “He definitely isn’t the loudest coach out there, but he knows what it means to be fast, what it means to be a good runner. You know, I started out running a twenty-seven-minute 5K. [Jerome ran a 16:37 at the State meet on Saturday and into fifth place slot for the fastest runner in CHS history]. His impact has helped me reach my full potential in a very hard sport.”

That potential has been realized for many individual CHS students and for both teams. Today, the program is one of the most respected and successful cross country programs in the region. The Kodiaks have flourished under Massey, routinely winning the league and district, and qualifying for the State Championships.

When asked about his best memories, Massey first reflected before stating that “every year was different, every year was fun, every year had its challenges, every year had its successes. That said, it is probably our string the last seven years taking teams to state. The first three years, we didn’t even get an individual runner to State, let alone a team. So, it’s not a given. Most teams don’t get to go State. It took time to build up to do that.” 

“I’ve seen these kids grow from shy freshmen, unsure of their capabilities, into confident, hardworking young adults. The lessons they learn on the course—discipline, perseverance, and teamwork—stay with them throughout their lives,” concluded Massey. “I just tried to cultivate a love of running and enjoying the process. I really love it when I hear that kids are still running after they graduate.”

Massey’s influence on the program and the hundreds of students he coached reflects his dedication, passion, and commitment. He helped shape them not only into skilled runners but also resilient young adults. He will be missed and hard to replace.

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s Publications Group.